Bees buzz into Riverbank library to teach kids

Jer Johnson shows children a frame filled with honey during Uncle Jer's Traveling Bee Show at the Riverbank Library in Riverbank Calif., on Monday July 7, 2014. Modesto Bee

Jer Johnson shows children a frame filled with honey during Uncle Jer's Traveling Bee Show at the Riverbank Library in Riverbank Calif., on Monday July 7, 2014. Modesto Bee

Children at the Riverbank branch of the Stanislaus County Library got a message about bees Monday thanks to a visitor from Elk Grove.

Uncle Jer’s Traveling Bee Show buzzed into town for a presentation on these insects, which are vital to pollinating Central Valley almonds and plenty of other crops around the world. The program featured live bees, honey, storytelling and other means of getting the word out.

In recent years, beekeepers have dealt with a range of problems affecting their colonies, including drought, disease, mites and an unsolved malady called colony collapse disorder. All this threatens not just pollination services, but the production of honey and beeswax.

On July 21, the program will be at the Turock library at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The library is at 550 Minaret Ave. For more information, call (209) 664-8100.